Canada's Kevin Sullivan would love to
cap what's been a fine season with a strong showing at this
weekend's World Cup.
The 32-year-old Sullivan from Brantford, Ont., has been running
some of his fastest times in several years the past few months,
earning him a berth on the Americas team for the IAAF 10th World
Cup, which runs Saturday and Sunday at Olympic Stadium.
``I really feel right now I can compete with anyone in the world,
and I don't think I have had that feeling for a few years,'' said
the Canadian veteran middle-distance runner.
``Re-finding a bit of lost form and confidence has been amazing
for the results this year, and I just really hope to keep going
along the same path this weekend.''
The World Cup is a competition between continental teams from
Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania, the United States, host
Greece and three European teams that qualified through the European
Cup _ Russia (men and women), France (men) and Poland (women).
African men have won the last four of the previous nine World Cup
meets, which are now held every four years. The Americans have three
titles.
Russia is the defending women's champion.
Other Canadians on the Americas team are Nathan Brannen of
Cambridge, Ont. (1,500), Carmen Douma-Hussar of Cambridge (1,500),
Toronto's Nicole Forrester (high jump), Megan Metcalfe of Edmonton
(3,000), Gary Reed of Victoria (800), Scott Russell of Windsor, Ont.
(javelin), James Steacy of Lethbridge, Alta. (hammer throw), and
Jason Tunks of London, Ont. (discus).
Hurdler Perdita Felicien of Pickering, Ont., was named to the
team, but decided to end her season at the World Athletics Final
last week, where she won bronze.
Sullivan raced to a time of three minutes 32.65 seconds in his
specialty, the 1,500, earlier this season, his fastest time since he
set the Canadian record of 3:31.71 in 2000.
He's racing the 3,000 this weekend, which he doesn't mind.
``I've been having some good success over both events this year,
and by the looks of the field I think I have an excellent
opportunity to place very well,'' said Sullivan.
Sullivan is competing in his first World Cup. Eight years ago he
was forced to pull out, and four years ago he was bumped off the
team at the last minute.
With Marion Jones out, Sherone Simpson looks set to stretch her
unbeaten streak in the women's 100 metres. Simpson is unbeaten in
her last seven races _ ever since the Jamaican lost to Jones this
season in Paris.
Jones had been chosen for the U.S. team after being cleared to
run following a clean backup drug test, but the former three-time
Olympic champion decided Thursday to end her season because she did
not feel in good enough condition.
The American missed more than a month of competition following an
initial positive test for endurance booster EPO. Former world
champion Torri Edwards will replace Jones on the U.S. team.
In the men's 100, world co-record holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica
has decided to run only the relay, leaving Tyson Gay of the United
States as the favourite in the individual dash.
Olympic and world 400-metre champion Jeremy Wariner is skipping
the meet, but the U.S. team has a contender in LeShawn Merritt. His
biggest challenger should be Congo's Gary Kikaya, competing for
Africa.
World record holder Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia is uncertain
because of illness in the 5,000, which also features Saif Saaeed
Shaheen of Qatar, competing for Asia. Shaheen will also compete in
the 3,000 steeplechase, his top event.
Olympic 110 hurdles champion Liu Xiang of China returned to
competition at the World Athletics Final in Stuttgart, Germany and
ran a fast 12.93 after being chased by Cuba's Dayron Robles. The two
are set for another showdown. Liu broke the world record in July by
clocking 12.88.
``We help each other run well,'' Liu said. ``I would like to
break the world record again, I didn't go all out in Stuttgart.
Breaking the record, however, depends on many factors and you can't
say in which race you will do it. I don't want to put pressure on
me.''
In the women's 400, Golden League jackpot winner Sanya Richards
of the U.S. is looking to finish the season unbeaten.
